Re: Okay, what do I want to use to build a quilt
on 03/23/2009 16:04:02 MDT

You can get lighter wt fabric ... Momentum ripstop and taffeta at www.thru-hiker.com but it's more costly. Worth it for my taste and I tend to be a tight wad. Finished weight is approx 1.05oz/sq.yd. Note that pretty much all list fabric weights are the weight of the raw fabric before any other treatment like DWR. "1.1oz DWR" commonly weighs 1.2-1.3oz. I don't know about the 1.9oz fabrics.

But you are on the right track. Primaloft and Climashield are as good as it gets for the MYOG crowd.

Can you reach 40*F with a 14oz quilt (assuming no help from clothing)?? Maybe. Depends on how warm you sleep and how large a quilt you require.

Re: Re: Okay, what do I want to use to build a quilt
on 03/23/2009 16:59:11 MDT

Thanks guys, that pretty much explains it.

I have been getting really frustrated looking at quilts. I ordered a Backpacking Light UL 60 Quilt, but now after doing some more reading it seems the footbox is not big enough to use as an overbag and I am not sure how much warmth it would add anyway as an overbag so its going back.

The nice ones out there are really expensive for what they are. Jeez, you can buy a really nice sleeping bag for what some of them cost.

Re: Re: Re: Okay, what do I want to use to build a quilt
on 03/23/2009 18:28:05 MDT

you're right the cost is high compared to mass produced bags.

The small gear maker doesn't use slave/child labor so it costs more. North Face can crank um out because their employees are whipped as a performance incentive.

Obviously i jest. It does cost more for a small company which can't get either materials or labor as low as the big names because their volume is so much smaller.

i make climashield quilts to order and can't sell them lower than $145 shipped us for 2.5oz 150 for 3.7combat and 160 for the 5oz xp. (it was cheaper last summer but OWFINC is all out of climashield so i must buy from thru-hiker and can't get the bulk deal)

RE: Okay, what do I want to use to build a quilt
on 03/25/2009 11:19:51 MDT

Some comments on draft stoppers.

My wife and I use a two-person quilt and are very happy with draft stoppers. They hardly add any weight and are effective in keeping drafts out. I move around a lot (which is why I don't like bags) and sometimes have to rearrange the draft stopper, but this is no big deal.

When I get a too warm I like to poke a leg or arm or more outside the quilt, or fold it off of me (my wife sleeps colder than me). With straps this would be more difficult.